President William Ruto departed Kenya on Sunday for a three-nation tour of Europe, where he will hold high-level talks aimed at attracting investment, expanding export markets and strengthening economic partnerships as the government pushes its Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda.
According to State House Spokesperson Hussein Mohamed, the tour is part of Kenya’s broader strategy to diversify export destinations, create jobs and accelerate growth through stronger international partnerships.
State House said the engagements come at a time when the government is seeking to position Kenya as a regional hub for manufacturing, value addition and sustainable development.
In Belgium, President Ruto is scheduled to meet King Philippe and the Minister-President of Flanders, Matthias Diependaele, for discussions on bilateral trade and investment opportunities. He will also hold talks with senior European Union leaders, including European Council President António Costa and European Parliament President Roberta Metsola.
A key agenda item will be the implementation of the Kenya-European Union Economic Partnership Agreement, which grants Kenyan products duty-free and quota-free access to the EU market.
“The discussions will centre on implementation of the Kenya-European Union Economic Partnership Agreement, which gives Kenyan exports duty-free, quota-free access to the EU market,” Hussein said.
State House noted that the EPA is expected to create more opportunities for Kenyan exporters, particularly in tea, coffee, horticulture, cut flowers and value-addition sectors that have long sought stable access to European buyers.
The President is also set to engage business leaders and investors on opportunities in manufacturing, agriculture, logistics and industrial value chains as Kenya seeks to move more exports up the value chain.
Ruto will then proceed to Norway for bilateral talks with Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre and a meeting with Crown Prince Haakon.
He is expected to address the Kenya-Norway Business Forum, where investors from both countries will explore partnerships in renewable energy, electric mobility, climate-smart agriculture and the blue economy. The engagements are expected to build on Kenya’s efforts to position itself as a regional leader in green energy and sustainable development, leveraging its geothermal, wind and solar capacity.
Norway’s expertise in hydropower, electric transport and ocean-based industries aligns with Kenya’s plans to expand clean energy access and develop its marine resources along the coast.
President Ruto will conclude the tour with a State Visit to Finland at the invitation of President Alexander Stubb, following President Stubb’s visit to Kenya in May 2025.
While in Helsinki, Dr Ruto will participate in the Kenya-Finland Business Forum, where he will seek investments in technology, innovation, clean energy, manufacturing and value addition.
He is also scheduled to attend the Kultaranta Talks, Finland’s annual foreign and security policy forum, where Africa will feature prominently on the agenda.
State House said Kenya will use the platform to advance African priorities on peace and security, sustainable development and reforms of global governance institutions.
The visit is also expected to strengthen cooperation between Kenya and Finland in education, technology, digitisation, health, environmental sustainability, peace and security, building on growing ties in digital innovation and learning.
The European tour comes as Kenya works to reduce reliance on traditional markets and attract foreign direct investment into priority sectors. With the EPA offering duty-free, quota-free access for Kenyan goods, officials see the Belgium leg as critical to unlocking more exports in agriculture and manufacturing.
The Norway and Finland stops are expected to deepen partnerships in green technology and innovation, areas the government has identified as drivers of jobs and climate resilience.
State House said the outcomes of the three visits will be measured by new investment commitments, export deals and joint projects that translate into employment and growth back home.
